When you buy a new oven, TV or washing machine, part of the joy of setting it up and starting to use it is knowing it shouldn't require any cleaning or maintenance for a while.
But then the weeks and months pass, and it might start looking a little grimy or greasy.
While a quick wipe-down never goes astray, the task of actually cleaning the thing properly might leave you wondering where on earth to start.
You find yourself putting it off because you're unsure how to tackle it, and you're busy, or worried that you'll damage it if you don't get it right.
There's a mountain of household jobs that Australians are avoiding
Each time you use your appliance, you experience a tiny jolt of guilt that you're not looking after it as well as you should be. Sound familiar?
We researched which cleaning tasks people are searching for info on and found there's a mountain of household jobs that Australians are avoiding on a daily basis.
Top of the list? Most of all, you want to know how to clean your oven, washing machine, TV, dishwasher and air fryer.
So we've put together these handy tips from our experts. Combined with a little elbow grease, you'll have your appliances back to their sparkling best in no time.
On this page:
- 1. How to clean the oven
- 2. How to clean a washing machine
- 3. How to clean your TV
- 4. How to clean the dishwasher
- 5. How to clean an air fryer
1. How to clean the oven
With nearly 14,000 online searches a month, it's apparent that many people are grappling with how to restore their grimy oven to sparkling form.
According to CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair, as with many things, prevention is better than cure.
"Getting into the habit of wiping down your oven surfaces after it's cooled will keep the grease and grime at bay," she says.
You can make it even easier by placing a bowl of steaming hot water in the oven while it's still warm after cooking to help loosen any build-up and make the cleaning easier. A good-quality microfibre cloth can then be used to finish the job.
If things have gone beyond the stage where a light wipe down will do the job (hey, we're not judging), you may need to turn to more heavy-duty options.
Only use an oven cleaner as a last resort, as they can be very harsh
CHOICE home economist Fiona Mair
Try making a paste of bicarb soda and water, apply it to the stained areas, leave it to sit for half an hour or so, then use a non-scratch scrubbing sponge to gently scrub the area.
"Only use an oven cleaner as a last resort, as they can be very harsh," warns Fiona. "If you get them on your skin or in your eyes, they can cause severe irritation, deep burns or even blindness."
To safely use an oven cleaner, make sure the area is well-ventilated, follow instructions, wear appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses or a face mask, wear a long-sleeved top and gloves, and don't go overboard with the cleaner.
And remember, it takes time to work, so give it a chance to do its job before adding more.
If you're looking for more information on how to clean your oven, including guidance on removing and cleaning doors, how to clean the racks, and how to treat the exterior of your oven, read our comprehensive guide to oven cleaning.
2. How to clean a washing machine
At the top of the category best described as 'how to clean things that clean other things' are washing machines. There are more than 9000 searches in Australia each month for advice on how to tackle this job.
CHOICE appliance expert Denis Gallagher says the key to keeping your washing machine in mint condition is to split the cleaning into regular tasks to be tackled after each use, every month and once a year.
"Simply wiping out the inside of the door and leaving it ajar after every wash will help prevent mould and extend the life of your door seals," says Denis. "It will also help prevent scrud (residue from detergent and fabric softener) that can build up inside the machine and affect its performance. This is even more important for owners of front loader machines compared to top loaders, as there's more rubber moulding around the door to collect soap scum and mould."
If you have a top-loading machine, you should clean the lint filter after every wash.
Simply wiping out the inside of the door and leaving it ajar after every wash will help prevent mould and extend the life of your door seals
CHOICE appliance expert Denis Gallagher
Once a month or so, wipe away any mould on the door seals and other surfaces with hot soapy water, using a soft cloth or sponge. Any scrud deposits you see inside the machine should also be tackled this way, though you may need a bit of elbow grease.
If you mainly wash in cold water, you should run the machine empty on its hottest cycle, using only a bit of detergent. This will also help clear out scrud.
About once a year, it's worth checking to make sure your machine is still properly levelled and adjust the feet if necessary. You should also get rid of any stray detergent build-up with an old toothbrush, and don't overlook the detergent dispenser.
For more on keeping your washing machine in top shape, read what our experts have to say in our comprehensive guide to cleaning your washing machine.
3. How to clean your TV
Unlike the other appliances on this list, your TV doesn't cook or clean anything, so you might think it would require little in the way of cleaning. But around 8500 people a month are asking the internet for advice on how to clean a television.
"Start by unplugging your TV and dusting the screen with a soft, dry, microfibre cloth. This will remove any loose dust and may well be all that's needed," says Denis.
If there are stubborn marks, like smudges or fingerprints, dampening your microfibre cloth with distilled water or a screen cleaning solution may be necessary. Don't use too much liquid and avoid spraying anything directly onto the screen.
4. How to clean the dishwasher
It is undoubtedly one of the main household labour savers, but if you want your dishwasher to last, you need to maintain it and regular cleaning is part of that. If you're perplexed about how to tackle this chore, you're not alone: nearly 4000 people are searching for advice on how to clean their dishwasher each month.
The good news is that keeping your dishwasher looking and smelling fresh doesn't need to be onerous.
As with your washing machine, giving the door seals a quick wipe down with a soft cloth after use will help prevent mould and odours. It will also clear away any obstructions that could stop the door from properly sealing. Regularly removing and cleaning the filter is also important.
Clean the filter in your dishwasher regularly to help keep it running smoothly.
There are plenty of dishwasher cleaning products on the market, but according to our expert, they may not be necessary.
"Unless you're dealing with a decade's worth of grime in one go, plain old white vinegar might be all you need," says Denis.
Vinegar can help get rid of discolouration, unpleasant smells, and any build-up in your pipes. However, use caution. Some manufacturers advise against using vinegar because its acidity can potentially damage sensitive internal components. Just be sure that you use a low concentration of vinegar or even dilute it before use.
To use vinegar, put two cups of vinegar in a bowl and place it in a rack of your otherwise empty dishwasher.
Run the machine, pausing the cycle about halfway through for around 30 minutes to let it soak.
Dishwashers work best when used often
If you're still finding the machine to be a little smelly, throwing in a handful of bicarb soda and running it again may help.
Denis also suggests taking extra care if your dishwasher will be unused for an extended period.
"Dishwashers are an appliance that works best when used often, so if you haven't used it for a while, run a cleaning cycle to clear the system before using it again," he says.
If your dishwasher doesn't offer this type of cycle, running it on empty is another way to refresh it before you load your dishes.
Our CHOICE experts have lots more advice on how to keep your dishwasher running cleanly in our comprehensive dishwasher cleaning guide.
Resist the urge to clean the air fryer basket in the dishwasher if it has a non-stock coating.
5. How to clean an air fryer
If you're not cleaning your air fryer after every use, you're running the risk of ruining the next batch of food you cook at best, and causing a fire, at worst.
So, given their huge popularity, we're not sure whether we should be alarmed or comforted by the fact that each month only slightly more than 2000 Australians are searching for advice on how to clean their air fryer.
"Failing to clean after every use can leave residue and crumbs that can burn, and leftover oil that can smoke, all of which can affect your food's flavour and even pose a fire hazard," warns Fiona.
She advises that as well as cleaning the air fryer basket after every use you should also clear around the fan and wipe inside the unit with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. If you do this while the machine is still warm it will be easier.
Resist the urge to clean it in the dishwasher if it has a non-stick coating
When it comes to washing the basket, resist the urge to clean it in the dishwasher if it has a non-stick coating.
"Putting a basket in the dishwasher can damage the non-stick surface quite quickly due to the harsh detergents and prolonged exposure to hot water," she says.
Our experts have put together a comprehensive guide on how to keep your air fryer spick and span, if you're looking for in-depth advice on cleaning this popular appliance.
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